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Monday, January 30, 2017

4ID bares peace, security efforts

By Venus L. Garcia

BUTUAN CITY, Jan. 30 (PIA) – On the onset of
calendar year 2017, the 4th Infantry Division, Philippine Army (4ID, PA)
apprised the Caraga Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) of its
accomplishments, including the peace and security initiatives to address the
insurgency and terrorism threat within Caraga region.

Based on their record for the fourth quarter of
2016, the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) – New People’s Army (NPA)
has decreased in manpower. “This is a result of our effort of convincing former
rebels to return to the folds of the law. Their firearms also reduced and
affected barangays dropped by 19 percent, while no changes in the number of
guerilla front committees,” revealed Lt. Col. Rey Pasco, 4th Civil Military
Operations (CMO) Battalion commanding officer in his report representing 4ID
commander MGen. Benjamin Madrigal, Jr.

Accordingly, the local terrorist groups were
monitored merging and planning to initiate violence to gain the attention of
foreign terrorists and acquire fund support. The monitored bomb threat
targeting the major cities in Mindanao could not be discounted as the key
personalities remain at large.

“With this, continued endeavors to thwart the
radical armed rebels threating in the areas of responsibilities are
intensified,” said Pasco.

In support also to the anti-illegal drug campaign,
several joint operations of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP),
Philippine National Police (PNP) and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)
resulted in the confiscation of shabu and marijuana worth P28,824,741 and
neutralization of 590 drug personalities. “Majority of the volume of prohibited
drugs confiscated were in Agusan del Sur,” said Pasco.

To ensure also a healthy and drug-free
organization, 2,635 personnel of the 4ID underwent a drug test, wherein those
who were found positive were discharged from the service.

Also, they invited the PDEA for an information
briefing to further enhance the awareness of unit commanders relative to the
extent of proliferation of illegal drug trade in the area of responsibility.

A law enforcement trainers’ training was also conducted
at the 4ID headquarters to improve more the capabilities of units in doing
support activities pertaining to law enforcement.

On the other hand, in collaboration with the
provincial local government unit of Agusan del Sur, the 401st Brigade has
established a Drug Rehabilitation Center at its headquarter in Brgy. Awa,
Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur.

Meanwhile, MGen. Madrigal extended his gratitude to
the partner stakeholders and the public for their dynamic cooperation. “With
our commitment to defend our people and country from those against our
government and the law of our land, I am likewise encouraging everyone to
continue the peacebuilding efforts to strengthen the AFP’s work to promote
peace and development. We can all be an agent of change, a change tantamount to
a harmonious community living in prosperity,” underscored MGen. Madrigal.
(VLG/PIA-Caraga)

DOLE releases P2.5M livelihood projects to SurSur
town

By Nida Grace P. Barcena

TANDAG CITY, Agusan del Sur, Jan. 30 (PIA) – The Department
of Labor and Employment (DOLE) - Caraga Region released a P2.5 Million worth of
livelihood financial assistance to the local government unit of Hinatuan this
province on Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2017.

The said amount was received by Hinatuan Mayor Shem
Garay intended for the five projects of the informal sector workers
associations of the municipality.

Mayor Garay thanked the agency for granting his
request to facilitate for an orientation to all beneficiaries of the livelihood
projects before the release of the financial funds to five associations.

“I really requested DOLE to orient all the
beneficiaries to make it sure that the funds will really serve the need of the
organization not just the president and officers of the association but all the
members,” Garay said.

Mayor Garay emphasized to the beneficiaries that
the government fund, though it is a dole-out, must be taken care of by the
association since all of these funds came from the taxes of the Filipino
people. (With a report from Romelyn Bactol, DOLE/PIA-Surigao del Sur)